The Bermuda Half Marathon Derby has announced the appointment of Melissa Looby as its new President, effective May 22nd 2026, as the island prepares to gather at this year’s Finish Line Viewing Village for what promises to be a landmark occasion in the Derby’s storied history.
Looby succeeds Dr. Gina Tucker, who has served on the Derby committee for 19 years as President and whose leadership has been instrumental in shaping the event into the institution it is today. After years of deliberate succession planning, Dr. Tucker feels the time is right to pass the baton to new leadership.
“I am very excited to pass the baton on to Melissa. She has been working with the committee since our 2022 race, so we’ve been mentoring her and she is more than capable of carrying the Derby forward. I have been preparing for succession for some time now, so it’s just the next natural step. I was looking at numerous people and last year she just said, ‘Dr. Tucker, I’ll do it’ - and here we are. She will carry it forward until she is no longer willing to serve.”
Dr. Tucker, Outgoing President said, “Looby brings deep institutional knowledge to the role, having served on the Derby’s executive committee since 2021. During that time she has worked closely alongside Dr. Tucker, playing an active role in the organisation and delivery of one of Bermuda’s most celebrated annual athletic events and contributing to the committee’s strategic direction.
“It is an honour to step into this role and to build on the incredible foundation Dr. Tucker has laid over nearly two decades of service. This event is more than a race - it is a tradition that brings our island together, celebrates athletic achievement, and inspires people of all abilities to push themselves. I look forward to carrying that legacy forward.”
Looby, Incoming President said, “This year’s race day celebration, with participant numbers already at over 1,100, will mark a special moment of public recognition for Dr. Tucker, while formally introducing the incoming President. The community is invited to join the Derby at the Finish Line Viewing Village at North Village Field - sponsored in part by Sound Concepts Ltd. - on Friday, 22 May 2026 from 8:30am. The Village will provide a dedicated space to view the race coverage, presented by Bermuda Broadcasting and the Bermuda Today app, enjoy the atmosphere of the day, celebrate the determination of participants, and be part of the official finish line experience.
Hope Academy and Duch Pops will be on hand as vendors, along with complimentary post race cold plunge and massage services, and race participants and attendees are encouraged to support. Spectators not attending the race finish are invited to pay tribute to Dr. Tucker along the race course through signs and messages of thanks.
“Every runner who crosses the finish line represents courage, commitment, and pride. This year, we are especially pleased to invite Bermuda to join us in celebrating our finishers while also honoring Dr. Tucker for her years of dedicated leadership and service to this historic event. We want every finisher to feel the energy of Bermuda behind them - whether you are supporting a loved one, honoring the history of the race, or simply enjoying one of Bermuda’s great community traditions, we invite you to join us at the finish line.”
Looby’s appointment marks a new chapter for the Derby as the organization looks to strengthen its community presence, support participation at all levels, and uphold the standards that have made the event a cornerstone of Bermuda’s sporting calendar. Clubs, families, schools, organizations, and community groups are warmly encouraged to attend and show their support for this year’s runners.
Sunday, May 17, 2026
Lewis Smashes Records Again Drops Under 16 Seconds
IslandStats.com
Bermudian para-olympian Jessica Lewis has etched her name into the history books once more, shattering the Para Pan American record for the second time in four days during a momentous final day at the 52nd Swiss National Championships.
In a career-defining performance at the renowned Stacherholz track in Arbon, Lewis achieved a lifetime goal by dipping under the 16-second barrier for the first time, cementing her status as one of the world's elite T53 sprinters.
The assault on the record books began on Thursday at the Daniela Jutzeler Memorial, where Lewis clocked a blistering 16.02 seconds. That time officially lowered her own Para Pan American Record, but the Bermudian star was clearly not finished with her pursuit of speed.
Returning to the track just four days later, Lewis found another gear. Competing in a high-octane T53 Women’s 100m final, she crossed the line in a staggering 15.55 seconds. The result represents a massive leap in performance, marking the first time she has ever broken the 16-second threshold in her storied career.
The race was a masterclass in top-tier para-athletics, led by home favorite Catherine Debrunner. The Swiss sensation utilized the fast Arbon surface to secure victory in 15.36 seconds. Lewis’s record-shattering 15.55 earned her a well-deserved silver medal, while Belgium’s Joke Stragier completed the podium in third with a time of 20.29.
The consistency Lewis has displayed over this Swiss residency is a testament to her technical refinement and power output. By consistently lowering her marks in both the 100m and 400m disciplines, she has sent a definitive message to her international rivals ahead of the season's major championships.
As the Swiss campaign draws to a close, Lewis returns home not just with silverware, but with the momentum of an athlete currently operating at the very peak of her powers.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Lewis Smashes 400m Personal Best Again
IslandStats.com
Bermudian para-athlete Jessica Lewis has continued her sensational run of form in Switzerland, shattering her personal best for the second time in a week at the 52nd Swiss National Championships.
Competing at the renowned Stacherholz track in Arbon, Lewis proved that her record-breaking performance at the Daniela Jutzeler Memorial was no fluke. In a world-class T53 Women’s 400m field, she once again lowered her career-best mark, signaling a significant leap in her mid-distance speed.
Lewis crossed the line in a blistering 55.80 seconds, securing a second-place finish and a silver medal. The time represents a remarkable improvement over her previous best set just days ago, as she continues to refine her power output on the elite European circuit.
The race was dominated by local favorite Catherine Debrunner. The Swiss star utilised her home-track advantage to clock an extraordinary winning time of 50.70, while Japan’s Kazumi Takimura completed the podium in third with a time of 60.30.
The performance was as much about tactical grit as it was about raw speed. Speaking after the race, Lewis highlighted the difficult conditions facing the athletes on the final straight.
“Another PB for me in the 400m of 55.80!” Lewis told IslandStats. “I pushed hard in the first 200m to bank some speed in for the second half of the race, as the final 100 was a headwind.”
The result in Arbon further cements Lewis’s status as a top-tier contender on the global stage. By consistently lowering her times in both the 100m and 400m, the Bermudian is demonstrating a level of tactical maturity and physical conditioning that bodes well for her upcoming international engagements.
As the Swiss campaign continues, the focus for Lewis remains on maintaining this momentum, with her ability to "bank speed" against heavy headwinds proving to be a decisive factor in her recent success.
Friday, May 15, 2026
Bermuda to Face World Cup-Bound Cape Verde
IslandStats.com
The Bermuda Senior Men’s National Team has secured a high-profile international friendly against Cape Verde, set to take place on June 6th, 2026, at the Pratt & Whitney Stadium in Hartford, Connecticut.
The fixture represents a major coup for the Bermuda Football Association (BFA), providing Bermuda with another stern test against elite opposition following their preparation match against DR Congo in March.
Cape Verde arrives at this fixture as one of the most compelling stories in global football. The "Blue Sharks" recently secured qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026, becoming only the third-smallest nation by population ever to reach the tournament—following in the footsteps of Iceland (2018) and fellow 2026 debutants Curaçao.
For Bermuda, the match serves as a vital measuring stick. BFA Technical Development Director Maurice Lowe noted that the fixture is a direct result of the island's improving international reputation.
"This caliber of opposition reflects the progress our program continues to make and aligns with our ambitions for the future," Lowe stated.
The Hartford clash forms the centerpiece of a busy June training camp. Before facing Cape Verde, Bermuda will participate in a training match on June 3rd against Rhode Island FC.
The tie carries a distinct local flavour, as Rhode Island is managed by former Bermudian international and MLS star Khano Smith. The USL Championship side will provide a rigorous tactical workout for the Gombey Warriors before they head to Connecticut.
The June camp is a critical component of Bermuda’s long-term strategy, with eyes firmly fixed on the upcoming Concacaf Nations League and future qualifying cycles. By testing themselves against a World Cup-bound side like Cape Verde, the BFA aims to accelerate the tactical maturity of the squad.
Further details regarding the final squad selection and ticketing information for the Hartford match are expected to be released in the coming weeks.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Lewis Smashes Records Delivers Masterclass in Switzerland
IslandStats.com
Bermudian Paralympian Jessica Lewis has enjoyed a landmark day at the Daniela Jutzeler Memorial in Switzerland, shattering her own record and setting two new personal bests on the track.
Competing against a world-class field on a wet track, Lewis proved she is in the form of her life, delivering a pair of podium finishes that underscore her standing as one of the premier T53 sprinters on the planet.
The highlight of the meet came in the T53 Women's 100m. In a blistering display of explosive power, Lewis stopped the clock at 16.02 seconds. The time did more than just secure a second-place finish; it marked a new Personal Best and officially broke her own Para Pan American Record.
The race was claimed by Switzerland’s Catherine Debrunner, who utilized home-track advantage to clock a winning time of 15.76.
Lewis carried that momentum directly into the T53 Women's 400m. Displaying remarkable tactical endurance, she crossed the line in 56.43 seconds, shaving more time off her previous best. Again, she found herself in a high-speed duel with Debrunner, who took the win in 51.07.
Reflecting on her dominant display in Switzerland, Lewis was buoyant about her current trajectory.
"It was a great day of races in Switzerland today," Lewis stated. "Two PBs and broke my Americas record in the 100."
The performances serve as a significant statement of intent as Lewis continues her international campaign, with her record-breaking pace suggesting there may be even more to come this season.
